Body found in landfill believed to be that of missing teen, Mount Gilead police confirm

BUCYRUS - The Mount Gilead Police Department confirmed Wednesday that a body found at the Crawford County Landfill is believed to be that of a missing teen.

According to a press release issued by the department Wednesday morning, the body was found at around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday.

The Crawford County Coroner's office was called scene to remove the body for autopsy and identification, according to the press release. Rumpke officials reported that the scene was cleared by 6:45 p.m.

Crawford County Sheriff Scott Kent said Wednesday the body will be taken to Lucas County for an autopsy.

The Mount Gilead Police department received a report for a missing juvenile at 8 a.m. Monday, identified as 14-year-old Skylar Bentley. He was last seen by family members at 9 p.m. Sunday, going to bed.

Surveillance video was found showing Skylar on Mount Gilead School property at 5:15 a.m. Monday, climbing into a dumpster at the back of school. Later, the dumpster was emptied.

A Village of Mount Gilead trash truck was at the landfill during the search on Tuesday. According to Mount Gilead's website, the community provides trash collection services within the village.

Tammy Kiss, who identified herself as Skylar's aunt, said the family was notified by Mount Gilead police at 6 p.m. Tuesday that a body believed to be Skylar's had been found in the landfill.

"They said there were no marks on his body, so they're not sure how he passed yet," she said. "He had never run away from home before. He was a good kid."

Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies — including the Crawford and Morrow county sheriff's offices, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the Galion Police Department — searched the landfill throughout the day Tuesday.